Station selector signaling system



Marsh 231, 3195@ c. A. LEVIN STATION SELECTOR SIGNALING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 13, 1947 NIMH!" mL lh.. wif R ...l Nv- INVENTOR CARL A. LEVIN m? ATTORNEY March 2l, E950 c. A. LEVIN STATION sELEcToRsTGNALTNG SYSTEM 2 sheets-sheet 2 TTT Filed Feb. 13, 1 947 INVENToR CARL A. LEVIN ATTORNEY Patenteci Mar.. 21, 1950 STATION SELECTGR SIGNALNG SYSTEM Cari A. Levin, Chicago, ill., assigner to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, lll., la .corporation of Delaware Application February i3, 1947., Serial No. 728,243

(Cl. P18-2) 2 Claims.

This invention pertains to printing telegraph systems and more particularly to transmission control systems.

The principal object of 'the invention is to provide 1n a sequential selective control system a means whereby any station in the loopcircuit may at any time initiate a line break which will enable it to transmit after the message is completed from the interrupted station.

Another object ofthe invention vis to provide a deferred break in the line circuit, so that ywhen a remote station is transmitting over the line and any other station on the loop circuit desires to interrupt or break in, provision is made for de ferring the effect of the break until the message being transmitted is completed.

Specically, the present invention is utilized in a system of automatic selective transmission control for use in connection with preliminary collection `oi weather or other information over a telegraph communication system. Control of such system is provided by primary sequential control equipment of the type ldisclos'edin copending application, Serial No. 599,323, led June v14, 1945, by G. G. Keyes, which application is incorporated herein by reference. The system according to said copending application utilizes selector equipment at each station, which is'always connected to the line and surveys all traiiic passing over the line.

in the embodiment wherein the deferred break feature according to the invention is employed, a sequence collection on this system starts with the transmission from the primary or Centrai station of a predetermined sequence of ycharacters which includes a two or 'more letter station identification of the first waystation from which transmission is desired. At this point transmission from the primary or central station equipment ceases and the secondary or way station equipment, recognizing the identification letters oi' its station, starts transmission oi the message (for example, weather information) waiting in the form of previously prepared perforated tape. At the conclusion of this message, end-o-message signals in the message tape are transmitted to shut down transmission from the way station and activate the primary or central station equipment to transmit the station identification letters of the next desired way station to be called in. The sequence of transmission of station identication letters at the primary station is contained in a continuous loop ci perforated tape. The 'loop of tape need be changed only when a rearrangement of the order in which station transmission occurs is desired. This calling in of a plurality of way stations oy a central station in a predetermined sequential order is known as a transmitting program.

In this embodiment also, it is contemplated that weather information shall lbe collected hour- Ily at which vtimes transmission of such information, `which has been previously prepared on per- Viorated tapes, from each. station will occur automatically under the control of the master control station in predetermined order -in response to the operation of a switch at the master control station. Pursuant to the operation of said switch the entire sequence collection -will take place automatically.

During the sequential'collection of `weather or other data, -as alluded to above, it may become necessary to interrupt -said collection to insert or interpose an urgent message from the primary control station or from a secondary or way station. Thus, with the deferred break device according to the present invention, such interruption can occur only after the completion of the message from the station then transmitting.

When Vit is Adesired to insert an urgent message during kthe vsermentia'l -collection of weather 'or other'data, a perforated tape containing the ur- -gent message is placed in a message transmitter in well known manner, and a line break key, identined herein as the deferred break key, is operated. Instead of opening or breakingthe signal line immediately, the present invention con- 4templatcsan arrangement for deferring the eiect of the operation of the deferred break key until the way station then transmitting has completed its message. Each message is terminated with a group of signals called the end-of-message code signals, rwhich are instrumental in initiating transmission ofthe urgentmessage inthe following manner. The arrangement for deferring the transmission ofthe urgent message comprises, in addition to the break key, a plurality of vrelays connected in cascade, the last relay of which dually controls the opening and closing of the signal line and the conditioning of the message transmitter for operation. The cascade relays are further controlled 'by a series of selectively controlled contacts in response to said end-ofmessage -code signals. During vthe transmission of saidurgentmessagethe transmitting program is temporarilysuspended, and is again resumed in response tothe end-of-message code signals terminating said urgentmessage.

"A better understanding of the `invention may be had Yfrom the vfollowing vdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. "1 is a schematic diagram of theelectrical Icircuit at the central or master control station;

and

Fig. `2 is an electrical circuit diagram for 'the way station.

Having 'reference -to -the drawing, the signal line Il, including 'central station it and a plurality vof way stations 2o, -is indicated as lderiving its signal current from battery I2. At the central station the line circuit extends from one side of line, through line relay I3, over conductor I4, through line break key I5 (now closed), through contact I6 (now closed) of a line break relay I1, over conductor ID, through transmitting contacts 29 of message transmitting unit 39, over conductor 49, through transmitting contacts i8 of auxiliary tape transmitter i9, over conductor 2i, through transmitting contacts 22 of tape transmitter 23, then over conductor 24 to the other side of the line Il. With marking current on the line il, the armature 25 of line relay I3 will be held against its marking contact 25 thus completing a circuit for selector magnet 3| of the sequential control unit such as is disclosed in copending application Serial No. 599,323 filed June lli, 1945, by G. G. Keyes, said circuit extending from grounded. battery 32, through contact 25 oi line relay I3, over conductor 33 to junction 34, then through the winding of magnet 3| and through a receiving printer 35 of any well known design, to ground.

Since the spacing contact oi relay l3 is open at this time, the circuit for slow-to-release relay 31 will be broken and relay 31 will be de-energized. In this condition of relay 31, the armatures thereof will be released to close contacts 38 and 39. With contact 39 thus closed, an energizing circuit is prepared for a slow-to-release relay 4| from battery 42, through contact 39, over conductor 293, through contact 295 of switch 48 (when momentarily closed, as will presently appear) over conductor 43 and through the winding of relay 4i to ground. In this condition of relay 4|, the armatures thereof will be attracted to close contacts lil and 45 and open contact 45. The locking circuit for relay 4I is established from battery 32, over` armature 25, through contact 29, over conductors 33 and 41, through contact 45, and through the winding of relay 4I to ground.

Preparatory to sequential message collection a continuous loop of tape is prepared having perforated therein, in addition to the sequence collection heading group of code signals mentioned previously, groups of code signals, each group pertaining to a particular Way station, and said groups arranged in the order in which it is desired to call in the way stations. The loop of tape need be changed only when a rearrangement of the order in which station transmission occurs is desired. Each group of code signals pertaining to a particular way station comprises conditioning codes followed by the station identication letters of the way station from which transmission is desired followed by further conditioning codes. For example, in the system according to the present invention, such a group of code signals would comprise the following codes: Carriage return, Carriage return, or Figures, Lettersf A, B, C (or other station identication characters), Space and Letters The loop of tape just mentioned is properly inserted in the tape transmitter 23 with the sequence collection heading group of code signals properly adjusted with respect to the transmitting contacts 22. During normal signaling operation the relay 31 will become energized and remain so despite the constant opening and closing of contact 39 because relay 31 is of the slowto-release type. Similarly, relay 4I, being of the slow-to-release type also remains energized despite the opening and closing of contact 25.

Now, with the line Il normally marking, the

relay 31, after a predetermined period is de-energized so Vthat the contacts 38 and 39 are closed, and the switch 48 is closed momentarily. The previously traced circuit for energizing relay 4I is now completed upon the closing of contact 295, and relay 4| is locked over the circuit extending from battery 32, over armature 25, through contact 26, over conductors 33 and 41, through contact 45 and through the winding of relay 4|. An energizing circuit for relay 49 is thereupon established from battery 5U, through contact 33 (now closed) of relay 31, over conductor 5l, through switch 48, then over conductor 52 and through the winding of relay 49 to ground. Relay 49 energizes and opens its contacts 53 and 54, and closes its contacts 55, 56, 51, and 58. A locking circuit for relay 49 is thus established from battery 59, through contact 6| of relay I1, over conductor 62, through contact 44 (now closed) of relay 4|', over conductor G3 to junction 54, over conductor 65 to junction 66, through contact 51 (now closed) in the sequential control unit, over conductor 68, through contact 56 (now closed) of relay 49, over conductor 1| and through the winding of relay 49 to ground.

Upon the closing of contact 55 of relay 49, a circuit is established for energizing the start magnet 12 of the transmitter 23, extending from battery 59, through contact 6|, over conductor 62, through contact 44 (now closed) of relay 4|, over conductor 53 to junction 64, over conductor 13, through Contact 55 (now closed) of relay 49, over conductor 14 and through the windings of start magnet 12 to ground. By the energizaticn of clutch magnet 12 the sequential control tape transmitter 23 is initiated into operation to effect transmission to the signal line Il of the message matter perforated in the previously mentioned loop of tape which contains a perforated record of the sequence in which the stations in the loop circuit are permitted to transmit their particular messages, such as weather data, over the signal line However, before station identification signals are transmitted from the unit 23 to bring in the way stations, general data pertaining to circuit, date, time, etc. (contained in the loop of tape) is transmitted from the master control station. Following the transmission of the general data (such as the sequence collection heading group of codes) the conditioning and station identication codes are transmitted.

The energization of relay 49 effects the energization of relay 15 over a circuit extending from battery 19, through contact 58 (now closed) to junction 11, then over conductor 18 to junction 'I9 and then through the winding of relay 15 to ground. Since the universal contact 8| in the sequential control unit is closed upon the reception of all signals received by the selector magnet 3|, an energizing circuit for slow-torelease relay 82 is established from battery 83, through contact 8| (when closed cyclically), over conductor 84 and through the winding of relay 82 to ground. The energization of relay 82 causes the closure of its contact 85 to complete a locking circuit for relay 15 extending from battery 86, through Contact 85 (now closed) of relay 82, through contact 81 (now closed) of relay 15 and through the winding of said relay 15 to ground.

The energization of relay 49 also closes its contact 51 to establish a circuit for relay 88 from battery 16, through contact 51, over conductor 89, through the winding of relay 88 to ground. Relay 08 becomes locked up over a circuit extending from ground, through the winding of relay 88, through contact 9| (now closed) of relay 38, over conductor 92, through contact 93 (now closed) of relay 94, over conductors 95,'

90, 65, and 63, through contact 44 (still closed) of relay 4|, over conductor 02, through contact 6| of relay il' to battery 59.

With the transmitter 23 now operating, transmission takes place under the control of the previously prepared tape inserted therein. Under this condition of operation, relays 49, l5, 82, and 88 are energized, which have become such upon the momentary closure of switch 48.

As mentioned hereinbefore, the iirst code combination transmitted in the conditioning code (following the sequence collection heading group of codes) is the Carriage return code signal. As the Carriage return signal is transmitted over the line il it actuates the line relay 53 in accordance with the marking and spacing impulses of the signal, in well known manner, t vibrate the armature 25 accordingly. As the armature 25 vibrates, the selector magnet 3| of the master control unit, disclosed in the aforementioned copending application, responds and controls the selection of a series of bars to effect the closing of contacts G'i, 8|, |0, |02, and |03. Contact Sl, as described previously is opened in response to a Space signal. Contact |0| is closed in response to a Letters signal. Contact |02 closes in response to an Upper case carriage return signal. Contact |03 closes in respense to a Blank signal. Contact 8|, as previously described, is a universal contact and closes in response to all signals. The effect of the opening and/or closing of contacts 6l, 8|, Mil, |02, and H03 will appear hereinafter.

As previously indicated, the second code combination of the conditioning code is a Carriage return code signal or Figures code signal. However, according to the present embodiment, only the receipt of a Carriage return signal preceded by a "Figures or Upper case signal affects the circuit. Next, the Letters code signal is received, but owing to the fact that the relay |04 has not yet become operated, the reception of the Letters signal has no effect. The next signal codes to be transmitted by the transmitting unit 23 are the station identiiication code signals, which may consist of any number, preferably three. These code signals have no further effect on the master control or the circuit shown, but they together with the conditioning code signals just referred to (C. R., C. R., or Figs., Letters) effect the operation of the ratchet assembly (described in the copending application) of the way station apparatus to close a contact to initiate the message transmitter at the way station into operation to transmit the weather report therefrom.

Following the transmission of the station identification code signals, a Space signal is impressed on the signal line ll, the effect of which is to operate the bar |05 to open contact 6'! (which is normally closed) to break the previously traced locking circuit for relay 49, which in turn by releasing its armature |06 opens its contact 55 to break the energizing circuit for the clutch magnet 'l2 of transmitter 23, thereby stopping transmission. The transmitter 23 remains in the stop position or condition pending the control or seizure ci the signal line by the control unit located at the selected way station, as described in the copending application.

At the conclusion of message transmission at the Way station, an end-of-message signal is transmitted, comprising the following code' signal combinations: Figures,"Carriage return and Letters These code signals are perforated in the tape following the regular message, and are impressed on the line to perform a dual function. First, as described in the copending application, these signals pass through the selector magnet of the control unit at the way station to operate a selectable bar to restore the way station circuit and apparatus to normal as will appear hereinafter.

Secondly, the end-ofmessage code signals will affect the circuit at the master control station in the following manner. It will be recalled that relays 3l, 4|, l5, 82, and 80 are still energized. Upon receipt of the Figures code signal, the master control unit will be conditioned to permit the operation of a bar |07 upon receipt of the next code signal which is a Carriage return signal, it being remembered that contact |02 is closed in response to an Upper case carriage return signal. When, therefore, contact |02 is closed in response to the receipt in succession of a Figures code signal and a Carriage return code signal, a circuit is completed for the energization of relay 94 extending from battery |08, through contact |02 (now closed momentarily) over conductor |09 through contact ||9 (now closed) of relay |49, through Contact |20 (now closed) of relay |42, over conductor |39, and through the' winding of relay 94 to ground.

Relay 94 upon operating closes its contacts l i, and |92 and opens its contact 93. The opening of contact 93 breaks the energizing circuit for relay 80. The closing of contact establishes a circuit for relay |04 extending from battery H3, over switch arm H4, through contact lll, over conductor H5 and through the winding of relay |04 to ground. The closing of contact ||2 establishes a circuit for relay '15 from battery H6, through contact ||2 (closed momentarily), over conductor H'i to junction '59, then through the winding of relay 'F5 to ground. Relay 'l5 upon operating becomes locked up over a circuit extending from battery 80, through contact (now closed) of slcw-to-release relay 02 (which is maintained operated so long as universal contact 8| is operated in response to each received code signal).

Since contact l|| is also closed momentarily to operate relay |04, said relay |04 becomes locked up through its contact IIS over a circuit extending from ground, through the winding of relay |04, then through contact H8 (now closed), through contact 54 (now closed, since relay 49 is now de-energized), then over conductors ||9 and 63, through contact 44 (still closed), over conductor B2, through contact 0| to battery 59. The energization of relay |04 also effects the closing of its contact |2| to prepare an energizing circuit for the re-energization of relay 49 when the contact |0| is closed in response to the next code signal, which is the Letters signal.

Therefore, when said Letters signal is received, the energizing circuit for relay 49 is established from ground, through the winding of relay 49, over conductors Il and |22, through contact |2| (now closed) of relay |04, over conductor |23, through contact ll (closed momentarily), over conductors 96, 65, and 93, through Contact 44, over conductor 02, through contact 6| to battery 59. Relay 49 becomes locked up over a circuit extending from ground, through the winding of relay 49, over conductor 1|, through contact 55 (now closed), over conductor G8, through contact El (normally closed), over conductors G5 and 53, through contact 44, over conductor 62, through contact 6| to battery 59.

Relay 49 upon becoming thus energized, again closes its contact 55 to complete the energizing circuit for the start magnet i2 of transmitting unit 23 extending from battery 59, through contact 0|, over conductor 62, through contact 44 (still closed), over conductors E3 and '|3, over armature |06, through contact 55, over conductor "J4, and through the windings of magnet 'I2 to ground. Thus, in response to the end-ofmessage code signal group the central or master control station is activated to thereby transmit the conditioning and station identification code signal combinations to the next desired way station to be called in or selected. It will also be recalled that the order or sequence in which the way stations are called in is contained in a co-ntinuous loop of perforated tape. As the transmittel 23 is thus operated, the relays illustrated in the circuit diagram are again actuated in the order and manner previously described.

In the event that the selected or called way station fails to respond to the call of the master control station, or in case the way station just terminating its message transmission fails to send an end-of-message group of signals, provision is made for both these eventualities by providing in the circuit arrangement additional relays 15, 02, and 8S and an auxiliary tape transmitter |9. A prerequisite to the activation of the master control station circuit in both o1" these eventualities is the presence of a predetermined time delay wherein the signal line II remains in a marking condition so that slow-to-release relay 02 will be given time to de-energize, or the way station be given time to respond.

Therefore, if a way station fails to respond, then the end-o-inessage group of signals is not received by the master control station, and hence the Upper case carriage return bar |0'| is not operated, and accordingly the contact |02 is not operated and the relay 94 is not energized. Since the failure of relay 94 to operate is indicative of the failure of a way station to respond, the contact 93 thereof, which is in the locking circuit oi relay B0, remains closed and the relay 83 remains operated. Then, when relay 82 deenergizes after a predetermined period, its contact 85 opens to break the locking circuit for relay l5, thereby causing Contact |25 thereof to close, thus completing an energizing circuit for start magnet |00 of auxiliary transmitter I9 eX- tending from ground, through the windings of magnet |00, over conductor |25, through contact |25 (now closed) of relay 75, over conductor |21, through contact |28 (still closed) of relay 8S, over conductor |29, through contact 53, (now closed) of relay 49, over conductors 'F3 and 53, through contact 44, over conductor 52, through contact 6| to battery 59.

In the auxiliary transmitter I9 is a loop of tape having preforated therein a series of groups of signals comprising the end-of-message group of signals, and the circuit arrangement shown is such that this group of signals will be automatically inserted by the master control station when said signal group is not received from a way station. When this eventuality occurs, an alarm bell |3| rings, being operated over an obvious circuit including contact |32 (now closed) of relay 15 and contact |33 (still closed) of relay 88. When the circuit is operating automatically the switch arm ||4 is positioned as shown, but when manual operation is desired the arm ||4 is swung over to contact |34, thereby lighting a lamp |35.

Impressing the missing end-of-message group of signals upon the signal line I causes the selector magnet 3| to respond to effect the selection of bar |01 to operate contact |02 when the upper case carriage return signal is received. The clo sure of contact |02 effects the energization of relay 94 which locks up as previously described. The ensuing series oi operations is the same as afore-mentioned until the start magnet 'I2 of the sequence control transmitter 23 is operated, whereupon normal operation of the system is restored until another missing end-of-message signal occurs.

In accordance with a feature of the invention it is possible for the master control station to introduce or anticipate a break in the sequential transmission without interrupting the message then being impressed on the line by a way station. This feature is termed the deferred break feature and is exemplified by a deferred action means which is initiated into operation by the actuation of a "deferred break key |4| to complete a circuit for energizing a relay |42 (of a. plurality of relays connected in cascade) over a circuit extending from battery |43, through the now momentarily closed contacts of key |4|, over conductor |44 and through the winding of relay |42 to ground. Relay |42 upon operating closes its contacts |45 and |46, and opens contact |20. The closing of contact |45 provides a locking circuit for relay |42 from battery |41, through contact |48 (now closed) of relay |49, through contact |45 (now closed) and through the winding of relay |42 to ground. The closing of contact |46 prepares an energizing circuit for relay |49 which will be established, as will presently appear'. The opening of contact |20 will prevent the end-of-message group of signals from eiecting the energization of relay 94 to reinitiate the operation of sequential control transmitter 23.

Thus, the deferred break device is conditioned for operation, and nothing further occurs until the message then being impressed on the signal line I I by a way station is completed and the endof-message group of signals, namely, Figures Carriage return, Letters codes are transmitted therefrom. The use of the deferred break contemplates the interruption of automatic sequential control of way stations in order to insert and automatically transmit an urgent message, and thereby disable automatic operation of sequential control transmitter 23. The receipt, therefore, of the Upper case carriage return signal, which eiects the closure of contact |02, has no eiect upon the transmitter 23, as previously described, because Contact |20 is now open. Instead, the closure of contact |02 establishes a circuit for the energization of relay |49 extending from battery |08, through contact |02, over conductor ISI, through contact |46 (now closed) of relay |42, and through the winding of relay |49 to ground. Relay |49, upon operating, closes its contacts |52 and |53, and opens its contacts |48 and ||0. Also, relay |49 locks up over a circuit extending from ground, through the winding of relay |49, through contact |52 (now closed) of relay |49, over conductor |54 to junction |55, then through contact |03 to positive battery. The opening of contact |48 breaks the locking circuit for relay |42, and hence relay |49 is no longer affected by contact |46. The function of contact |2ll (which is again closed) to prevent reinitlation of operation of unit 23 is transferred to the now open contact l of relay |49.

Relay is now conditioned for operation through closed contact |53 and open contact |55. Contact |56 is associated with the No. 5 code impulse bar or element in the selecting mechanism, and when operated, completes the energizing circuit for relay Since the last code Signal of the end-of-message group of code signals is the Letters" code, which is an all marking signal, the receipt of the fth impulse thereof Will cause the fifth code impulse bar |51 to be actuated to close Contact |55 momentarily, thus completing an energizing circuit for relay extending from battery |58, through contact |5|s` (closed momentarily), over conductor |59, through contact |53 (now closed) of relay ltl, then through the winding of relay I? to ground, Relay upon energizing opens its contacts ||i and 5| and closes its contacts |60, |t|, and |62. The closure of contact |6| establishes a locking circuit for relay il from battery, through normally closed contact |03, over conductor |53, through contact |5|, and then through the Winding of relay |`l to ground. The closing of contact |82 provides an obvious circuit for lamp |64. Simultaneously with the opening of the signal line the Contact |52 of relay closes to establish an energizing circuit for relay |65 extending from battery 59 through contact ||i| (now closed), over conductor |57 and through the winding of relay |65 to ground.

The breaking or opening of the signal line is effected upon the opening of Contact IS by relay Il. Upon the opening of the signal line a no current condition is created, and hence blank signais will be received by the selector magnet 3|. Accordingly, the blank selector bar |65 will be operated to open the contact |23 thereby de-energizing relay I1, to in turn close contact it to restore the line to marking condition.

In the meantime, however, relay its becomes locked up over a circuit extending from battery |88, through tape-out contact |59 (normally closed) in the message transmitter 3|), then through contact (now closed) of relay |55, over a section of conductor |51 and then through the Winding of relay |65 to ground. The tapeout contact |59 is controlled by a tape-out pin as disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,296,845 issued to M. T, Goetz on September 29, 1942, and is analogous to contact 88 of said patent. Relay |56 also closes its contact |'|2 to complete an energizing circuit for relay |73 from battery 5B, through contact 38 (now closed because of the open line condition and consequent de-energization of relay 3l), over conductor 5| to junction |74, then over conductor l5, through contact |l'2, over conductor and then through the Winding of relay |`|3 to ground. Relay |13 closes its contacts ill and |78. The closure of contact completes a locking circuit for relay |75 which extends from battery |68, through tape-out contact |29, through contact |l| (still closed) of relay |66. over a section of conductor mi, through contact (now closed) of relay |13, over a section of conductor |16 and through the winding of relay |73 to ground. Contact |78, upon closing, completes an energizing circuit for start magnet |79 of the message transmitter 3l! from battery I8! through contact |26, then through the Windings of start magnet |19 to ground.

Since the signal line is again closed due to the closure of contact i6, the message contained in the tape inserted in the message transmitter 35 will be transmitted, and transmission will continue until the end-of-message group of signals (punched in the message tape) has been transmitted and the end of the tape is immediately sensed by the tape-out pin, whereupon the contact |69 will open, thereby opening the locking circuits for relays |65` and |l3. The transmission of the end-of-message group of code signals functions as previously described to operate bar |61 to close contact |22, the eifect of which is to energize relay 9|, because contacts H0 and |25 are now closed. Energization of relay 91| controls the re-initiation of operation of the sequential control transmitter 23 to resume the station calling function.

Having reference to Fig. 2, the signal line extends In through a line relay 2|) then through transmitting contacts 252 of a data transmitter 253, then through transmitting contacts 22!! of a second or urgent message transmitter 225, then through contact 226 (now closed) of relay 25|, and then Out over line As previously described, the conditioning code signals; namely, Carriage return, Carriage return, Lettera A, B, C (station identication) Space affect the sem lector magnet 228 to select the bars 20S and 2|ll (as disclosed in said copending application Serial No. 599,323), and corresponding other bars. to step the ratchet assembly to the position where arm 2|| closes the contact 2| 3 (normally open).

Prior to the reception of the conditioning code signals just described, the contact key 2|5 is depressed at the hour when it has been predetermined that Weather information collection shall proceed. It was further described hereinbefore, that at each Way station, a tape has been previously prepared containing the Weather or other information, which tape has been inserted in the transmitter 253, and shortly before the appointed time when sequential collection is to begin, the key 2| 5 is operated to close contacts 2|5 and 2|`| to establish a circuit from battery 2|8, through contacts 2|6 and 2li of key 2|5, over conductor 2|9, and through the Winding of relay 22| to ground.

As relay 22| becomes energized, it pulls up its armatures to open contact 222, and to close its contacts 223, 22|! and 225. Relay 22| becomes locked up over a circuit extending from ground, through the Winding of relay 22|, then through contact 224 (now closed), over conductor 226, through contact 227 (now closed), over conductor 228, through normally closed key 229 to battery 23|. rlhe function of key 229 is to (ie-energize relay 22| should it be desired to revert from automatic to manual operation. Following the operation of relay 22|, the lamp 232 will become illuminated to evidence the condition of the way station apparatus preparatory to sequential col-- lection of information. The circuit' for lamp 232 extends from battery 2|8, through lamp 232, through contact 223 (now closed), to ground. Such is the Waiting condition of the system at the Way station.

Now, when sequential collection of the system has started and the previously indicated conditioning code signals are transmitted, the sem lector magnet 268 Will control the mechanism in the control unit (as described in said copending application) to select successively bars corresponding to bars 209 and 2MB to operate the ratchet assembly (exempliiied by arm 2H) of the particular way station selected to cause the arm 2|| to close the 4contact 2|3 thereat. With contact 2|3 closed and locked by the latch 2|4, a circuit is established from battery 233, through contact 2|3, through contact 225 (now closed), over conductor 234, then through the winding of relay 235 to ground. Since the contact 2|3 is latched closed by the lever 2|4, a locking circuit for relay 235 is completed from ground, through the winding of relay 235, through contact 236 (now closed), over conductor 231, through contact 2 I3 to battery 233.

The energization of relay 235 also completes an energizing circuit for relay 238 from ground, through the Winding of relay 233, through contact 239 (now closed) of relay 235, over conductor 231, through contact 213 to battery 233. Relay 238 upon energizing closes contact 24| and opens contacts 242 and 221. rIhe opening of contact 221 breaks the locking circuit for relay 22|. Lamp 232 remains illuminated even when relay 22| is de-energized because of the ground at closed contact 243. Upon the closure of contact 24|, a circuit is established for energizing the clutch magnet 244 of the tape transmitter 263 over an obvious circuit. As previously mentioned, the tape containing the weather (or other) information has been inserted in the transmitter 203, so that upon the conditioning of the Way station equipment exemplified in Fig. 2, the message will be transmitted from the Way station to the master control station (Fig. l). The receiving printer at the master control station is exemplified by the numeric 35.

At the conclusion of message transmission at the Way station (as previously described), an endof-message signal is transmitted comprising the following code signal combinations: Figures Carriage return, and Letters These code signals are perforated in the tape following the regular message, and are impressed on the line I to perform a triple function. First, as the signals pass through the selector magnet 208 of the unit 200 at the Way station, mechanism is actuated selectively to unlatch lever 2 I 4 from the contact 2I3, thereby permitting the contact 2| 3 to open to restore the Way station circuit and apparatus to normal. In this process, the lamp 232 is extinguished and the lamp 245 is illuminated over the circuit extending from battery 23|, through lamp 245, through contact 242 (now closed), through contact 222 (now closed), to ground.

Secondly, the end-of-message code signals will select bar 2I0 in the unit 200, to close a contact 246 to control certain elements embraced in the deferred break feature of the present invention, as Will hereinafter appear. Thirdly, the end-ofmessage code signals will affect the circuit at the master control station (Fig. l) as has been previously described.

According to the deferred break feature of the invention, it is also possible for the way station to introduce a break in the sequential transmission Without interrupting the message then being impressed on the line by the Way station introducing the "break or any other Way station. The deferred break is initiated by the actuation of the deferred break key 25| to complete a circuit for energizing a relay 252 over a circuit extending from battery 253, through the `novv momentarily closed contacts of key 25|, over conductor 254 and through the winding of relay 252 to ground. Relay 252 upon operating closes its contacts 255 and 256. The closing of contact 255 provides a locking circuit for relay 252 from battery 251, through normally closed contact 258 in unit 200, over conductor 258, through contact 255 and through the winding of relay 252 to ground. The contact 258 is controlled selectively by a bar 209 responsive to the blank code signal. The closing of Contact 256 prepares a circuit for energizing relay 261, through contact 246 (of unit 200) Which will be established, as will presently app ear.

Thus, the deferred break device at the vfay station is conditioned for operation, and nothing further occurs until the message then being impressed on the signal line II by a Way station is completed and the end-of-message group of signals, namely, Figures Carriage return, Letters codes are transmitted from the way station then transmitting, which may or may not be the Way station initiating the deferred break by actuating its key 25 I.

The receipt of the Upper case carriage return signal by the unit 200 not only effects the disengagement of pawl lever 2|4 to open contact 2|3 and cle-energize relay 233 to open contact 24| to terminate transmission from tape transmitter 253, but also effects the closing of contact 246. The closure of contact 246 establishes the afore-mentioned energizing circuit for relay 201 from battery 26|, through contact (now closed) of relay 252, over conductor 262, through contact 246 (now closed momentarily), over conductor 263, and through the Winding of relay 201 to ground. Relay 201 is of the sloW-to-release type with a release time greater than that of relay 4| (Fig. l) to prevent the sequential control transmitter 23 from operating while the way station commands the signal line I l.

Relay 201, upon operating, closes its Contact 264 and opens its contact 236. The opening of contact 206 breaks or opens the signal line circuit The closing of contact 264 completes an energizing circuit for relay 265 from battery 266, through contact 264 (now closed) of relay 201, over conductor 261 to junction 263, over conductor 269 and through the winding of relay 265 to ground. Relay 265 becomes locked up over a circuit extending from battery 21|, through tape-out contact 212 (normally closed) in the urgent message transmitter 265, then over conductor 213, through contact 214 (now closed) of relay 265 and through the Winding of relay 265 to ground. The tape-out Contact 212 is controlled by a tape-out pin as disclosed in the afore-mentioned Patent No. 2,296,845. Relay 265 also closes its Contact 215. The opening of the signal line causes the swinger 29| of line relay 20| to swing to the spacing side and close contact 292 to provide steady battery for relay 219 for holding it energized during the open line condition. After relay 261 has released to restore line to a closed condition through its contact 266 the swinger 26| of line relay 20| will move to the marking side and close contact 203 thus removing battery from relay 219 which after a predetermined release time releases and closes its contact 218 which provides a circuit from battery 211 to complete an energizing circuit for relay 216, through Contact 218 (now closed) of relay 219, over conductor 22|, through contact 215 (now closed) of relay 265, over conductor 282 to junction 233, then through the Winding of relay 216 to ground. Relay 216 closes its contacts 284 and 285. The closure of contact 284 completes a locking circuit for relay 216 which extends from battery 21|, through contact 212 (still closed) over conductor 213 through contact 214 (now closed) of relay 265, over conductor 269, then through contact 284 of relay 216, then over conductor 232 to junction 283, then through the winding of relay 216 to ground. Contact 235, upon closing, completes an energizing circuit for start magnet 299 of the urgent or special message transmitter 205 from battery 281, through contact 285 (now closed), over conductor 288 and through the winding of magnet 286 to ground.

As a result of transmitter 295, transmitting impulses over line i l the spacing impulses cause the swinger 29! of line relay 29! to close contact 292 intermittently which re-energiZes relay 219 and opens contact 218. Relay 219 which has become locked up through its contact 284, is not now aiected by the opening of contact 218. Since armature 29! vibrates in response to the signa-l impulses, relay 219 (being of the slow-to-release type) remains energized. The vibration of armature 29! also causes selector magnet 208 to respond to signal impulses through marking contact '293, in well known manner.

As previously mentioned, relay 201 has a slower release time than relay 4l (Fig. l), thereby giving relay 4l time to release, in response to the line break, and open its contact 44 to break the previously described locking circuit for relay 49, the effect of which is to prevent the sequential control transmitter 23 from calling in the next way station. Thus, the way station is permitted to transmit its urgent message, after which the switch 48 (Fig. l) is again closed momentarily to initiate operation of sequential control as previously described.

Since the signal line is again closed due to the closure of contact 296, the message contained in the tape inserted in the tape transmitter 205 will be transmitted, and transmission will continue until the end-of-message group of signals (punched in the message tape) has been transmitted and the end of the tape is immediately sensed by the tape-out pin, whereupon the contact 212 will open, thereby opening the locking circuits for relays 295 and 216.

As previously described, the relay 201 held the signal line Il open long enough to de-energize relay 4l. The relay 4i will not become energized again until switch 48 has been opera-ted momentarily to resume selective control of way stations, and by closing contact 295 to complete a circuit from battery 42, through contact 99, over conductor 299, through contact 295 of switch 48, over conductor 43 and through the winding of relay 4i to ground. Since, after termination of transmission of the urgent message (following deferred break the condition of the signal line is again marking, the contact 29 will be closed and relay 4l will be locked up from battery 32, over armature or swinger 25, through contact 29, over conductors 33 and 41, through contact 45 (now closed), through the winding of relay 4! to ground. Relay 4l, upon operating, again closes its contact 44 to establish a locking circuit for relay 49.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been described it is understood that the scope of the invention is not limited thereto but embraces all modications which come within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph system, a normally closed signal line, a primary sta-tion and a plurality of secondary stations connected to said signal line, means at said primary station for transmitting control signals for controlling transmission of messages from said secondary stations to said primary station sequentially according to a predetermined transmitting program, a message transmitter at said primary station, and means at said primary station for suspending transmission of said control signals to facilitate transmission of an urgent message from said rnessage transmitter, said last mentioned means comprising a sequential control unit, a deferred break key, a plurality of relays connected in cascade, said relays being initiated into operation upon the momentary actuation of said break key and continued into operation in cascade manner under the control of said sequential control unit in response to predetermined code signals indicative of end-of-message received from the secondary station then transmitting, the last relay in said cascade circuit being eilective to open said signal line, further relay means effective upon the operation of said last relay to initiate opera-tion of said message transmitter, and contact means in said sequential control unit responsive to a predetermined signal to control the deenergization of said last relay to close the signal line, whereby transmission of the message from said message transmitter is efectuated.

2. In a telegraph system, a normally closed signal line, a primary station and a plurality of secondary stations connected to said signal line, means at said primary station for transmitting control signals for controlling transmission of messages from said secondary stations to said primary station sequentially according to a predetermined transmitting program, an urgent message transmitter at each of said secondary sta-tions, and means at said secondary stations for suspending transmission of said control signals to facilitate transmission of an urgent message from the urgent message transmitter of the interrupting secondary station, said last mentioned means comprising a sequential control unit, a deferred break key, a pair of relays, one of said relays being initiated into operation upon the momentary actuation of said break key, the other of said pair of relays being actuated under the control of said sequential control unit in response to predetermined code signals indicative of end-of-message impressed on said signal line, said other of said pair of relays being effective to open said signa-l line, further relay means effective upon the operation of said other of said pair of relays to initiate operation of said urgent message transmitter, and contact means in said sequential control unit responsive to a predetermined signal to control the de-energization of said other of said pair of relays to close the signal line, whereby transmission of the message from the urgent message transmitter is effectuated.

CARL A. LEVIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATESy PATENTS Number Name Date 2,172,920 Anderson Sept. 12, 1939 2,238,142 Weaver Apr. 15, 1941 2,336,373 Starr Dec. 7, 1943 2,345,317 Bailey Mar. 28, 1944 

